Xuanye sat on the bed, both happy and nervous. Minghao walked over with a soft smile, settled beside her, and lay down. She turned away shyly, avoiding eye contact.
Minghao tucked himself under the blanket, closed his eyes, and quietly giggled—he knew she was stealing glances at him. Facing her, he peeked open one eye.
"Ye~ why aren't you sleeping? You told me to come in, but now you're wide awake, huh?"
She swallowed and replied, "Hao~ I just couldn't bear to let you sleep on the sofa. I mean, it's your house. How could I ask you to give up your own bed?"
He chuckled softly. "I wouldn't mind—even if you kicked me out of my own room. I know how you feel, so don't overthink it. Just sleep well, okay?"
Xuanye froze for a second, then blinked at him. He winked.
Startled, she quickly pulled the blanket over her head, hiding her flushed face. Minghao laughed under his breath and closed his eyes again.
But sleep didn't come easily for either of them. By 1 a.m., Xuanye had turned on her side, still restless. Minghao, facing her back, was wide awake too. When she shifted again, she caught him staring.
Suppressing a laugh, she asked, "Hao~ why are you still up?"
He smirked. "You're awake too, Ye~"
"I asked you first!"
They both smiled as the room settled into a warm silence, lit only by a soft golden lamp.
Xuanye broke the quiet. "Hao… do you feel lonely staying here?"
"Not really," he replied. "Most of the time, I'm with the boys. I only come here when I have a break or if there's a schedule in China. So I don't stay long."
She nodded, falling silent.
Minghao nudged her gently. "Ye~ why'd you go quiet all of a sudden? Talk to me."
She turned to him, exasperated. "Hao, do you know what time it is? You're asking me to chat like it's still evening."
Still looking at her, he whispered, "I don't know why, but I feel… sad and happy at the same time. I even feel like crying."
Her expression softened. She gently rubbed his back. "What's wrong, Hao? Did something happen?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. I just keep thinking about the world tour… and about you."
Xuanye smiled gently. "Are you tired? Maybe that's why you feel off. Take a few days off, Hao. You can dance even without practice. Just rest."
He took her hand and placed it on his cheek. "Ye… I'll be away for two months. Are you really okay with that?"
Her heart skipped a beat. After a moment, she gave him a warm smile and patted his cheek.
"I'll be sad, of course. But it's your work, and it's only two months. You can call me or text me anytime—I'll always reply. And if you're hungry, I'll cook something for you before you leave. And if you miss me too much…" she grinned, "I'll visit every day until you fly out."
Minghao smiled contentedly and, still holding her hand, drifted off to sleep.
Xuanye blushed. She gently pinched his cheek. "So this is why you wanted me to talk. You couldn't sleep unless I did."
She looked at his peaceful face and whispered, "Hao~ I know you act like you can carry everything on your own, but you don't have to. I want to be your comfort, always."
She rubbed his back softly and closed her eyes. "Flutterhao… I love you."
---
The next morning at 7 a.m., back in the hospital, DK stirred. He stretched in his sleep and, without realizing it, placed his hand right on Nian's face.
She flinched, struggling to breathe.
Still half-asleep, DK mumbled, "Nian… why are you tickling me…" and slowly opened his eyes—only to realize his hand was squishing her face.
He gasped, snatched his hand back, and whispered, "Ahhh, if she saw that, she'd tear me to pieces…"
He quickly sat up, pretending to be innocent. Looking at her still-sleeping face, he chuckled. "Nian… you're even drooling~"
Satisfied, he quietly laughed.
Just then, Nian turned and placed her hand on his lap, murmuring in her sleep.
DK froze. His heart skipped. He looked at her with a shy smile. "Nian~ are you taking advantage of me while sleeping, huh?"
Carefully, he lifted her head and rested it on his arm so she'd be more comfortable. She instinctively snuggled closer.
DK softly wiped her mouth. "You always tease me for acting like a baby, but now? Look at you… when you sleep, you're the real baby."
He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
Unbeknownst to him, Woozi and Jun had just woken up and were quietly watching. Woozi's eyes widened.
"Jun! DK's kissing her forehead in his sleep—like, right in front of us! What is happening?!"
Jun groaned and whispered, "What did I do in my past life to witness all of this? My heart can't take it anymore…"
Woozi clamped a hand over Jun's eyes. "Let's just go back to sleep and pretend this was a dream."
The two lay back down like they were possessed, praying for inner peace.
Meanwhile, DK chuckled softly and playfully squished Nian's cheeks. "You're my happy dream, Nian…"